South Ribble

South Ribble's population grew in the decade leading up to the most recent census. At the same time there were changes in housing tenure, marriage and health.

The population reached nearly 110,000

In the 10 years leading up to 2011, the population of South Ribble increased by 5.0%, from almost 104,000 to 109,000.

The addition of almost 5,200 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, South Ribble was home to, on average, 6.9 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was higher than the average across the North West

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the North West, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older South Ribble

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of South Ribble increased by three years, from 39 to 42 years.

This affluent area had a higher average age than the North West and remained somewhat older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of just under 3,200 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by just over 2,000.

About 12% of people in South Ribble are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, North West and South Ribble by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

More people cohabiting

The percentage of households in South Ribble, which comprised a cohabiting couple, increased from 7.6% to 10% in the decade to 2011.

The percentage that had only one person remained close to 27%, while the percentage of households in South Ribble which comprised a married couple (with or without children) decreased from 43% to 38%.

The proportion of households with an unmarried couple increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 7.9% in 2001 to 9.8% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 8.3% to 9.9%.

The percentage of households with a cohabiting couple in South Ribble increased by 2.7 percentage points

Percentage of households in South Ribble, the North West and England that had an unmarried couple, March 2001 and March 2011

Changing work life

The percentage of South Ribble residents that were studying increased from 2.6% to 2.9% in the decade to 2011.

In 2011, just under 6 in 10 (59%) people aged 16 to 74 said they were employed, compared with 58% in 2001. The percentage of South Ribble residents that were unemployed increased from 2.2% to 3.0%.

The proportion of students increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 2.5% in 2001 to 3.5% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 2.6% to 3.5%.

The percentage of students was lower than across the North West

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 that said they were in education across local authority areas in the North West and the average across England, March 2011

Disability in South Ribble

The percentage of South Ribble residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 3.2% to 4.0% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

In 2011, just under 1 in 13 (7.5%) reported being limited a little in their day-to-day activities, compared with 7.8% in 2001. The percentage of South Ribble residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability remained close to 89%.

The proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 3.7% in 2001 to 4.4% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 3.1% to 3.8%.

The proportion of people who are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability was lower than across the North West

Percentage of usual residents that reported being considerably limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the North West and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in South Ribble that rented privately increased from 3.8% to 9.3% between the last two censuses.

The percentage that lived in social housing remained close to 11%, while the percentage of South Ribble households that owned their home decreased from 83% to 79%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 8.5% in 2001 to 15% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in South Ribble increased by 5.5 percentage points

Percentage of households in South Ribble, the North West and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

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Area report data

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